Surveying method and apparatus



v,lgpmil 30,1935.'v

E. L. NICHOLS VISURVEYING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10, 1930 yff" Semen mum IN f Patented Apr. 30, 1935 TATS PA NT GFFICE SURVEYING METHOD AND APPARATUS Edward L. Nichols, Ithaca, N. Y., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 10,

34 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for locating, measuring and surveying de e tions from a desired direction in drill holes, whet e Hl'ld'i'r oil, gas or water, or in prospecting for minerals, or in investigating the character of rock formations or strata, or for any other similar purposes.

It is well known that in the drilling of holes for purposes such as those mentioned above, the hole may be deflected from the desired direction, with the result that if the deflection is unnoted and unchecked wholly erroneous conclusions may be reached. If the deections be observed and surveyed, misinterpretation of the results of the drilling will be avoided in large measure, and, moreover, if the deection be discovered and properly gauged, the use of suitable wedges or the like will enable the straightening of the hole. It has been found, moreover, that if the hole be maintained straight for its rst five-hundred feet or so of depth the probability of subsequent deflection '1s greatly reduced.

Various methods and forms of apparatus for the purpose of investigating drill holes have been proposed and tried, but for various reasons, whether unreliability, excessive complexity or cost, or other causes, have fallen short of the desired success.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved method and apparatus involving relatively simple means for determining not only the place at which a hole starts to deiiect but also the angle and direction of deflection. It is a further object of my invention to provide improved means whereby more extended deflections may be examined.

In the practice of my invention there is preferably employed a device lowered down the drill hole and following the bore thereof, said device being observed either with the naked eye or through appropriate apparatus or instruments from the upper end of the hole, and being appropriately oriented in the hole during its progress downwardly therein. Obviously the device lowered in the hole may take the form of a reflector and be externally illuminated, or may be itself luminous. The device to be observed may also obviously vary in shape, either substantially filling the cross section of the hole or comprising in eiect diametrically extending or intersecting bands, zones, or arrangements of light. One very desirable arrangement includes a light arranged to be maintained centrally of the bore of the hole with lights at its opposite sides, or with lights at each quadrant, and dif- 1930, Serial No. 427,357

ferently colored lights may advantageously be used to facilitate determination of the direction of deflection. When lights are carried by the device lowered into the hole they may obviously be maintained from a source moving down the hole with them or may be supplied with current from the surface.

When the hole is of such depth and so much de'- flected that the device to be observed from the surface passes Wholly out of the range of direct vision, the use of a suitable prism or prisms may be resorted to to permit further observation. For this purpose, adjustable prisms of the type which employ a highly refractive liquid such as carbon disulphide are particularly adapted. Mirrors may also be adapted to this purpose.

Various means may be employed to orient the device to be viewed with respect to the points of the compass, as for example adjustable lowering devices, or when a uniformity of position is desired for any purpose, gyroscopic devices for orienting the lights relative to their support.

It is to be understood that the invention, from both its method and apparatus aspects is capable of a wide variation in its practice and that the foregoing consideration of certain phases and possibilities is by no means exhaustive.

Other objects of my invention than those enumerated above, and other advantages thereof, will hereinafter appear.

My invention will be best understood by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawing in which two illustrative embodiments of improved apparatus and two forms of practice of the improved method are disclosed and the scope will be more particularly pointed out is the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing,

Fig. l is a View, partially in side elevation and partially in section of an illustrative form of a device to be lowered down a drill hole and to be observed from the surface.

Fig. 2 is a. view, on different scales at its upper and lower parts showing an illustrative embodiment of my invention in use.

Fig. 3 is a view partially in elevation and partially in section of a simplified illustrative form of apparatus for use at the surface.

Fig. 4 is a further View, similar in type to Fig. 2, of a modified form of my invention in use.

Fig. 5 is a top end View of the device of Fig. l.

Referring now to the drawing, the illustrative form of device to be lowered down the hole and observed from the surface shown in Fig. 1 is of the self -contained light sourcetype and comprises a suitably rugged carriage or container l, which may be of any suitable form, but which is, as preferably, cylindrical and of a diameter just enough smaller than the bore of the hole to be surveyed to preclude sticking or binding, but large enough and long enough to prevent material lateral movement in the hole and any tendency to cant and dig into the sides of the hole. The casing is herein illustrated as containing within its lower portion a plurality of sources of electric current, 2, supplying current to a series of lights 3, l and 5, though a single source with which the lights are suitably connected, or supply of current from the surface would also be practicable.

Three lights 3, d, '5 are arranged on a diametric line across the upper end of the carriage l, the light l being, in use, in the axis of the hole and the lights 3 and 5 respectively at opposite sides of light d and at equal distances from the latter. Advantageously the three lights may be of diierent colors, as red, yellow and green.

To raise and lower the casing l, to maintain it with the transverse line formed by the lights extending in the desired direction, and to permit the direction in which the row of lights extends to be Varied at will, suitable adjusting and raising and lowering mechanism is provided. Herein a pair of light but strong wires, cables, or other suitable suspension elements l and S are shown suitably connected to the casing l adjacent the outer edges of the latter at points at opposite ends of a diametric line perpendicular to the line of the row of lamps. At their upper ends these suspension elements are attached to suitable raising and lowering and motion controlling supporting devices, herein simply illustrated as winding drums 9 and lfl, provided with rotating means l! and rotation control means, shown in the form of frictional controlling means l2, the use of separate winding elements enabling the maintenance of the depending portions of the elements 'l and 8 under like tension and of equal length. Obviously a at suspension element, or one or more lines of rods might be used. To permit variation in the position of the row of lights in their horizontal planes the drums 9 and lil are mounted on a turntable i3 concentric with the drill hole ll and supported at the surface of the ground E. The elements 'i and S are extended from the drums herein through holes l5 and l5 spaced preferably the same distance as the connections of the elements l and 8 to the carriage I, and disposed at equal distances on opposite sides of the axis of the drill hole.

Observation of the lights is facilitated by a telescope Il coaxial with the drill hole, though inspection through the openings i5, IS and other quadrantally spaced openings not shown is also possible.

The employment of this illustrative embodiment of my invention according to one form of my novel method will now be described. The lights 3, l and 5 being turned on, the casing l is placed in the drill hole to be surveyed and the turntable-mounted lowering mechanism and the telescope Il will be arranged coaxially with the hole. The light source will then be lowered and as long as the bore is straight, the entire light source may be observed from the surface of the ground E through the telescope il. If and when the bore is deected from a straight line one of the lights 3 or 5 will, if the lights be positioned in the plane of the axis of the hole, begin to be obscured, and with further lowering the light t and then the light 5 will successively disappear.

At A in Fig. 2 the line U-D, representing the lateral limit of visibility, indicates the beginning of the passage of light 3 from sight. At B in the same gure, light 3 is obscured, as indicated by line El'-0,' and at C, the light 4 is just beginning to be obscured, as indicated by line {l2--ll2- The curvature of the bore may be determined by measuring the distances the source of light must be lowered between initial obscuring of the first light and obscuring of the second light, etc. As there may be an increasing rate of curvature the measurements of the distances the light source must be lowered between initial obscuring of, say, light 3 and obscuring of light ll, and between initial obscuring of light l and obscuring of light 5, will afford a basis of comparison by the application of well understood mathematical principles. The distance to the point in the bore at which curvature begins may be directly determined by measurement of the suspension elements 'l and S, or by using graduated elements.

It will be observed that the turntable mounting should be rotated from time to time, as the casing l is being lowered, as should deflection occur in a direction parallel to the plane in which the axes of the elements 'l and 8 lie, a very substantial curvature could exist before obscuring of any light would take place. When a place is reached where some deflection or curvature of the bore has denitely taken place the direction in which it extends, that is to say the direction of its horizontal component, so to speak, may be found by turning the casing on its axis until the direction of maximum obscuring is reached, and thereafter the measurements from which the curvature or deflection will be determined should be taken with the casing positioned with the lights in the plane determined by the initial axis of the bore of the hole and the axis of its deected portion, i. e. in the plane of the axis of the hole.

It will be evident that with a knowledge of the distances between the several lights and the distances the supporting elements 1 and 8 must be lowered to elect their successive obscurings, the angle of the hole may be calculated, and with the length of the straight bore and the compass direction of deflection also known the course of the hole may be plotted and sound plans for straightening it by wedging made if desired.

In order to permit, if it be desired, a survey of the bore at points below that at which the last of the three lights becomes invisible, I have provided improved means to cooperate with the apparatus heretofore described, whereby the rays w of light may be observed even though the carriage and lamps themselvs would be completely invisible. One illustrative means for the accomplishment of this purpose is shown in use in Fig. 4, and additional apparatus whereby it may be conveniently handled is conventionally shown in simpliiied form in the same gure. A prism 2l) giving a suitable angle of deviation is suspended by flexible means 2| from winding devices 22 and at suitable distance or distances below the rst prism other prisms may be suspended, the suspension of the prisms being independent of the suspension of the casing I, so that the light source may be lowered and raised relative to the prisms. Preferably, however, the prism mountings are, so to speak, strung on the elements l, 8 so that the orientation of the prisms will be facilitated. If a three light carriage is used with the opposite lights spaced almost the full width of the carriage, prisms should be placed CLI more closely and their individual deviations be less. By appropriate design of the prisms, satisfactory surveying can also be effected by modifying the disposition of the lights on the light source and using fewer prisms of higher refraction. Prisms containing carbon disulphide (CS2) may be used to provide for a high deviation and may be made adjustable in a well known manner. l

By the proper selection and support of prisms it will be noted that the light rays from the light source may be directed to the observer though the light source would otherwise be entirely invisible. The prisms must be properly oriented in the bore and their angles of deviation suited to the deflection of the bore. By observations of the lights, and suitable measurements, the course of the bore can be examined and determined, therefore, even though the light source is wholly outside the reach of direct vision.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a very simple means and method for determining the location of the deflection of a drill hole and for ascertaining its degree and direction, and have provided optical means by which the hole may be surveyed in portions thereof which have been thought to be wholly beyond the possibility of optical examination.

While there are in this application specifically described two forms of method and apparatus which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these methods and apparatus are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of determining the place at which a bore hole in the earth deflects from a desired axis, consisting in lowering into the hole a plurality of light sources disposed in a substantially common transverse plane, and observing the same to determine when one or more of the light sources becomes obscured as by passing into the deflected portion of the hole,

2. The method of determining the inclination of a bore hole in the earth consisting in lowering into the hole a plurality of light sources disposed in a substantially common transverse plane and observing the same to determine when one or more of the light sources becomes obscured, and also determining the distance through which the light sources have been lowered at the time of becoming obscured.

3. The method of determining the place at which a drill hole in the earth deflects from a desired direction consisting in lowering into the hole three lights disposed substantially in a common transverse plane and observing said lights from the ground surface to determine when one or more of the same becomes obscured by the wall of the deflected portion of the hole.

4. The method of determining the place at which a drill hole in the earth deflects from a desired direction, consisting in lowering into the hole a plurality of lights some of which, at least, are arranged in offset relation to the axis of the bore hole, and observing said lights from the ground surface to determine when one or more of the same becomes obscured by the wall of the deflected portion of the hole.

5. The method of determining or locating the place at which deflected portions of ay drill hole in the earth occur, and of surveying the extent of said deflected portion consisting in lowering a light source into the hole and noting when the light source becomes obscured as by passing into the deflected portion and the distance through which the light source has been loweredI at the time it is obscured, and then placing lightdirecting means in the hole to bend the rays of light from the obscured source to the observer at the ground surface.

6. The method of surveying a drill hole in the earth consisting in lowering a light source into the hole and observing when the same becomes obscured as by passing into a deflected portion of the drill hole, and then placing light-directing means into the hole so as to direct the rays of light from the obscured source to the ground surface.

'7. The method set forth in claim 6 further characterized in that the beams of light are refracted to direct them to the surface.

8. The method of surveying drill holes in the earth consisting in lowering into the same a light having a known offset relation to the axis of the bore of the hole and observing its obscuring.

9. The method of surveying drill holes in the earth consisting in lowering into the same a light source comprising a plurality of lights whose relation to the axis of the bore of the hole is known and observing their successive obscuring.

10. The method of surveying drill holes in the earth consisting in lowering into the same a light source comprising a plurality of lights whose relation to the axis of the bore of the hole is known and observing the order of their obscuring.

11. The method of surveying drill holes in the earth which includes the lowering into the hole of a light source comprising a plurality of lights whose relation to the axis of the bore of the hole is known and rotating said light source while observing the same.

12. The method of surveying drill holes in the earth which includes lowering into the hole a light source providing a relatively narrow zone of illumination extending diametrically of the bore of the hole and rotating the same as it is lowered, while observing the same.

13. The method of surveying drill holes in the earth which includes the lowering of a light source into the same to a position out of range of direct vision from the surface and observing said light source with the aid of optical devices which deflect the light to the surface.

14. The method of surveying drill holes in the earth which includes the lowering of a light source into the same, observing the obscuring of said light source as the same is lowered, and after complete obscuring of the same continuing observations by optical devices which deiiect the light to the surface.

15. A drill hole surveying instrument for surveying holes drilled in the earth comprising a carriage having means for suspending the same from above and constructed to be guided by the walls of the hole and with a luminous point thereon visible from above and in known offset relation to the axis thereof.

16. A drill hole surveying instrument for surveying holes drilled in the earth, comprising a carriage having means for suspending the same from above and constructed to be guided by the walls of the hole and with a luminous point thereon directing light rays upwardly and arranged in known offset relation from the axis of the carriage.

17. A drill hole surveying apparatus for surveying holes drilled in the earth comprising a carriage having means for suspending the same from above and arranged for guidance by the walls of the hole and having thereon a plurality of points of light visible from above and arranged in a diametrio line.

18. Apparatus as dened in claim 17 in which the plurality of points of light bear known relations to the axis of the carriage.

19. Apparatus for surveying drill holes in the earth comprising a light source to be lowered into the hole, means for lowering the same into the hole, and independently positionable light directing means positionable in the hole above said light source to direct the rays from the latter to the surface of the ground when said light source is not visible directly due to deflection of the drill hole.

20. In combination, a casing oi a dimension transversely substantially the same as a drill hole in the earth and having at the upper end thereof a plurality of electric lights providing a nonoircular luminous target, said casing housing a battery for supplying current to said lights, and means for suspending said casing in a bore hole with said lights upwardly directed.

21. Apparatus for surveying drill holes in the earth comprising a light source carriage, a plurality of lights carried by said carriage and disposed in substantially common transverse planes, means for lowering said carriage into the hole, and light-directing means adapted to be disposed in said hole above said light source to permit observation of the path of travel of said light carriage after it has passed into a deflected portion of the drill hole.

22. Apparatus for surveying a drill hole in the earth comprising a carriage having a light source, moans for lowering said light source carriage into a drill hole, and means whereby said carriage may be rotated when in a hole to different predetermined positions.

23. Apparatus for surveying a drill hole in the earth comprising a carriage having a light source upon the upper end thereof in a relatively narrow diametric Zone, and means for lowering said carriage maintaining said light source with its diametrio zone substantially parallel to a single vertical plane.

24. Apparatus i or surveying a drill hole in the earth comprising a. carriage having a light source thereon arranged in a relatively narrow diametric Zone, and suspension means for said carriage including spaced supporting elements connected thereto at spaced points in a diametric line at right angles to said Zone.

25. Apparatus for surveying a drill hole in the earth comprising a carriage having a light source thereon arranged in a relatively narrow dametric zone, and suspension and adjusting means for said carriage including spaced supporting elements connected thereto at spaced points in a diametric line at right angles to said zone and reels carrying said supporting elements and bodily rotatable about the axis of the drill hole.

26. The method of surveying drill holes in the earth which includes lowering into the hole a light source providing a plurality of spaced luminous areas in known relation to the axis of the bore of the hole, and rotating said light source while observing the same.

27. The method or surveying drill holes in the earth which includes the lowering into the hole to be surveyed of a Carriage, providing on said carriage a plurality of luminous areas in known relation to the axis of the hole, and rotating said carriage while observing the same.

28. The method of surveying drill holes in the earth which includes the lowering into the hole to be surveyed of a carriage, providing on said carriage a plurality of luminous areas in known relation to the axis of the hole, and observing the obscuring of said areas.

29. A drill hole surveying instrument for surveying holes drilled in the earth, comprising a carriage having means for suspending it from above and arranged to be guided by the walls of the hole to be surveyed and providing a non-circular luminous field visible from above and in known relation to the axis of the hole.

30. A drill hole surveying instrument for surveying holes drilled in the earth, comprising a carriage having means for suspending it from above and arranged to be guided by the walls of the hole to be surveyed and providing a light band visible from above and in known relation to the axis of the hole.

31. Apparatus for surveying drill holes in the earth, comprising a carriage, means for providing on said carriage a luminous eld extending transversely of said carriage and of materially greater dimension in one direction diametric of said carriage than in another, means for lowering said carriage into the hole, and light directing means adapted to be disposed in said hole above said carriage to permit observation of the path of travel of said carriage after it has passed into a deflected portion of the hole.

32. A method of surveying a bore hole in the earth, which consists in lowering into the hole to and past a point of deflection a light source providing an upwardly directed field of light having portions, along certain lines radial with respect to the hole being surveyed, at greater distances from the axis of the hole than the portions along other radial lines.

33. The method of surveying a bore hole in the earth, which consists in lowering into the hole a light source providing an upwardly directed field of light having portions, along certain lines radial with respect to the hole being surveyed, at greater distances from the axis of the hole than the portions along other radial lines, and deflecting the light to the surface after the same is obscured from direct vision.

34. The method of transmitting indications of bore hole curvature visually as herein described, by causing obscuration of light rays from a noncircular eld in proportion to the degree of bore hole curvature, substantially as set forth.

EDWARD L. NICHOLS. 

